Advancing robotics and automation

40th IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation 2023 organised by TFI Lodestar

A first for London

The ICRA conference was an important moment for the AI and robotics sector in the UK. Taking place in London for the first time in its history, the objective was to increase funding and investment, and position the UK at the forefront of new and emerging technologies. The UK’s AI market generates £10.6bn with London currently home to around 70% of the UK’s AI companies, making it the perfect destination for the 2023 conference.

Congress content

TFI Lodestar created a programme to complement the innovations being showcased during the event, as well as being designed to boost IEEE’s global reputation and make their work more accessible to a wider audience.

The programme featured keynote speakers and research papers, workshops and practical sessions as well as a major exhibition, technical tours of robotics labs and lively forums for debating key issues for the sector. The congress also provided a unique platform for businesses and universities to connect with world-renowned researchers and technicians.

30%

uplift in delegate attendance

66

countries represented

32%

increase in exhibitor and
partner participation

£1.4m

AEV (advertising
equivalent value)

Creating a positive impact

Prior to the congress Tablet Academy presented three inspirational robotics workshops at Harris Academy secondary schools local to Excel. Robotics kits were given to each school to enable teaching staff to use as part of the curriculum.

Over 80 students and teachers attended the congress itself. It was a unique opportunity for students to compete in a robot challenge during the event, and to take inspiration from the exhibition, talks, robot competitions and even a performance by Stelarc, the robotics artist.

“The conference’s motto “Embracing the future: Making robots for humans”, meant the human engagement really came to the fore. The success was manifested not only in record-breaking in-person attendance, along with the highly successful outreach project, facilitated by our partners and the team at Excel, to inspire the next generation of roboticists. London could not have been a better destination to launch our impact programme which we will become a regular feature of our conferences in future years.”